Category Archives: Issues
September 2019
Style & function has never looked so good!
Inspired by fashion and designed for comfort, revere Shoes offer a beautiful collection of sandals, ballet flats, mary janes, loafers, and booties all with supportive contoured footbeds that can be removed if required to fit custom orthotics. revere also offers innovative fitting features such as extenders to lengthen straps for wide or swollen feet, fillers that can be… Continue reading
September 2019
First-of-its-Kind Textured Esmarch Bandage
Brand new from Tetra Medical Supply Corp.is a first-of-its-kind Esmarch Bandage with a textured finish that allows for better gripping and easier application when used to control and exclude blood flow during surgical procedures. The innovative and revolutionary Tetra Esmarch Bandage is constructed of strong, white synthetic material to provide maximum compression in a totally powder-, talc-, and latex-free product. Continue reading
September 2019
First Ever Medical Grade Electronic Tuning Fork Diagnoses DPN at Earlier Stages
Physicians have long known that the 128 Hz tuning fork is the most sensitive of the commonly used neurological screening tests available in clinical practice. The ETF¹²⁸(Electronic Tuning Fork/128 Hz) from O’Brien Medical, builds on this foundation and takes it to the next level. The ETF does this by electronically reproducing the most valuable features of the traditional tuning fork. Continue reading
September 2019
See Why Cadence Insoles are #1 Sellers – Free Pair!
Cadence insoles are a high-quality OTC orthotic that offer a unique combination of semi-rigid support and durable high rebound/low compression set polyurethane foam. They fill a fast-growing sweet spot for those who benefit from and prefer semi-rigid support with greater relief and shock absorbing comfort in the heel and forefoot. Continue reading
September 2019
Use Aquajogger Buoyancy Belts for Rehabilitation and Fitness
Thanks to Aquajogger’s signature Buoyancy Belts, users can now combine dynamic and forgiving deep and shallow water exercises with land-based exercises to maximize progress toward treatment, fitness, and wellness goals. The groundbreaking Aquajogger Buoyancy Belt is suitable for Sports Performance, Fitness and Wellness, and Rehabilitation purposes. Continue reading
September 2019
VascuEase Portable DVT System
The VascuEase Portable DVT System by Bio Compression Systems brings a new level of innovation to the pneumatic compression device category. DVT (deep vein thrombosis) prophylaxis has become an important standard of care for post-operative and non-ambulatory patients, both in-hospital and at home. Continue reading
July 2019
How Well Did You Read This Issue?
Test your knowledge of information from this issue of Lower Extremity Review and the world in general with our new crossword puzzle feature.
July 2019
The Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act: A Win-Win for Patients and the Profession
Currently, the Veterans’ Administration (VA) serves more than 90,000 Veterans who have lost limbs and performs more than 12,000 amputation surgeries annually. Additionally, although the number of Veterans with significant, chronic limb impairment is unclear, it is unquestionably large.
By Eve Lee, MBA, CAE, Executive Director, American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association Continue reading
July 2019
Survey Identifies Quality of Care Indicators for AFO Users
Lower limb orthoses are worn by nearly 2 million Americans of all ages. Certified orthotists have reported spending 59% of their time providing lower limb orthoses, of which 18% is spent providing ankle foot orthoses (AFOs). Despite such a substantial time commitment spent providing patients with lower-limb orthoses, and specifically AFOs, patient satisfaction reporting and quality of care assessment have not been fully documented.
By Laura Fonda Hochnadel Continue reading
July 2019
Isokinetic Training + Eccentric Overload = >Muscle Size, >Performance
A team of researchers undertook a study to examine changes in performance and muscle size in young ice hockey players who underwent a program of multiple-joint isokinetic (ISO) resistance training (RT) and eccentric overload (ECC) compared to a control group that underwent a traditional (eg, isotonic) RT program. According to the literature, ISO training and ECC, when…
By Laura Fonda Hochnadel Continue reading
July 2019
Excerpt: Shin Splints, Achilles Tendinopathy Top Running-related Diagnoses Among Injured Recreational Runners
The purpose of the present study was to describe the incidence proportion of different types of running-related injuries (RRI) among recreational runners and to determine their time to recovery.
By Benjamin Mulvad, Rasmus Oestergaard Nielsen, Martin Lind, and Daniel Ramskov Continue reading
July 2019
Skipping Tops Running for Knee Joint Contact Forces and Metabolic Costs
Running’s high rate of sport-related injury is a prime driver of reduced exercise participation, despite its bountiful health benefits. Skipping—that childhood symbol of carefree whimsy—presents a lot like running, but when compared to running, provides unique benefits: shorter steps, reduced vertical ground reaction forces (GRFs), and lower knee extensor torques. Continue reading
July 2019
Gout: Well Known, But Misunderstood
Gout may be well known, but there is a tremendous misunderstanding of what it takes to treat this serious inflammatory disease. Those are among the findings of a recent survey conducted for the Gout Education Society by Wakefield Research. The online survey of 1,000 nationally representative Americans, ages 18+, with an oversampling of 100+ interviews of adults who… Continue reading
July 2019
Early Sports Specialization Tied to Increased Injury Rates in College Athletes
Nearly 60 million children and young teens participate in organized athletics each year with ever-increasing numbers of kids specializing in one sport before the age of 14 with hopes of a college scholarship or professional career on the line. However, researchers presenting their work at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine/Arthroscopy… Continue reading
July 2019
Enthesis: Unique Structure Makes Tendon-to-Bone Repairs Complicated
Formed during development, this efficient attachment system cannot be recreated during healing. Many common injuries, such as Achilles tendon and rotator cuff tears, require surgical procedures that reattach the affected tendon to the bone. Stavros Thomopoulos, PhD, director of Carroll Laboratories for Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University in New York, compares it to trying to attach a rope to a piece of cement.
By Nicole Wetsman Continue reading
July 2019
At All Levels and Categories of Cycling: Correct Poor Crank-arm Fit to Relieve Chronic Knee (and Hip) Pain
Consider recommending installation of shorter crank arms on a bike when a cyclist complains of knee or hip pain. After years of bike-fitting, here’s why we’ve concluded that this modification is invaluable. One of the biggest problems in bicycling, I’ve found, is that pain is considered normal. I (RS) am a master bike fitter and an elite cycling coach.
By Rick Schultz, MBA, DBA, and Amy Schultz, PT, DPT, CSCS Continue reading
July 2019
Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Legislation Introduced as Georgia Tech Deactivates MSPO Program
Will Congress act to provide for the ongoing care of America’s wounded warriors? The unfortunate truth: The need for prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) care is growing in this country, thanks, in part, to events on the other side of the globe—namely, unconventional warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan, although uncontrolled cardiovascular disease and diabetes continue to each play their devastating role.
By Keith Loria and Janice T. Radak Continue reading
July 2019
A Common Class of Antibiotics Can Lead to Tendon Rupture
Despite Black Box warning for risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, clinicians continue to prescribe fluoroquinolones. Half of the musculoskeletal injuries in the United States each year involve tendons and ligaments, and of the tendon injuries that can occur, those that strike the Achilles tendon are the most common. Higher rates of participation in…
By Nicole Wetsman Continue reading
July 2019
FlexInFit Sensorized Sole System
FlexInFit, for the evaluation of foot pressure inside the shoe, completes the biomechanical and postural analysis in conjunction with the freeMed platforms and Runtime treadmill from Sensor Medica. With 214 sensors in each shoe, the system precisely analyzes foot pressure in real time and can record data for up to 4 hours. FlexInFit is a versatile tool with many applications, for… Continue reading
July 2019
DME MAC Issues Reminder about RT and LT Modifier Usage
CGS, the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) for Jurisdictions B and C has issued a reminder regarding billing right (RT) and left (LT) modifiers on separate claim lines. There are 6 device categories related to lower extremity care: ankle-foot/knee-ankle-foot orthoses, knee orthoses, lower limb prostheses, orthopedic footwear, surgical dressings, and therapeutic shoes for persons with diabetes. Continue reading
July 2019
Visco-GEL 5-ToeBuddy
The soft, anatomically shaped Visco-GEL 5-ToeBuddy from PediFix was inspired by the popularity of the original ToeBuddy. The 5-ToeBuddy separates all five toes, both in shoes, and for shoeless toe stretching. The device helps relieve common toe problems and foot pain, such as crooked, overlapping toes that rub; between-toe irritations; corns; hammer toes; sore toe tips… Continue reading
July 2019
CMS Issues DMEPOS Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule containing updates to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) regulations. CMS also published a fact sheet outlining several major provisions in the rule, which are summarized… Continue reading
July 2019
Edensoles with Dynamic Customization Technology
Edensoles is a plush insole system that utilizes Dynamic Customization, a smart, moldable polymer encapsulated in a polyurethane bladder under the heel and longitudinal arches of the foot that actively adapts to changes of the foot position, step after step. The bladder is sandwiched between an antimicrobial top fabric and a durable polyurethane bottom layer. Edensoles come in two thicknesses. Continue reading
July 2019
Formfit Pro 3D Knitted Ankle Support
Össur’s Formfit Pro line of 3D compressive knit solutions, including the Formfit Pro Ankle, is designed for people who may be suffering from different musculoskeletal conditions or ailments, yet want to remain active. This compressive ankle sleeve has 2 integrated malleoli pads for targeted support and cushioning. It is indicated for ankle conditions that may benefit from… Continue reading
July 2019
Robotic Cane Improves Stability in Walking
A team of researchers at Columbia (University) Engineering have added electronics and computation technology to a walking cane to transform it into a robotic device that can provide light-touch assistance in walking to the elderly and individuals with impaired mobility. A team led by Sunil Agrawal, PhD, professor of mechanical engineering and of… Continue reading
